On the pulse

“We cannot continue to invest in the same service models of the past. We need a radical shift in how the NHS sees itself, from a hospital service for the ill, to a nationwide service to keep us healthy.”

Call me unpatriotic but I have always been confused by the word “Great” in Great Britain. Ironically it may be that I am just very British in my coyness when it comes to self-praise? Or it may be that it never really felt earned? I don’t think all the other countries got together and said, “you know who’s Great? Britain, that’s who. With it’s quaint red pillar-boxes and its willingness to tolerate Richard Branson. Let’s call her Great Britain from now on”. And even though Australia, ...

Approaches to self-discharge, including forms used to document the process, should be overhauled to explore the reasons behind those wanting to leave hospital early, instead of them being used to persuade patients to stay “as a priority”, a new study has concluded.

A “substantial increase” in the number of cases of scarlet fever being reported this year has been highlighted by Public Health England, which is urging health practitioners to be “mindful” when assessing patients.

The proposed pay deal for the NHS in England announced by government, employers and unions at the end of last month is the result of intense and detailed talks that started after the budget last November, explains Unison’s Sara Gorton, who led the pay negotiations on behalf of unions.

Despite the recent extreme cold snap, we hope spring is just around the corner. It feels like a good time to look ahead to brighter days and reflect on the amazing achievements of our profession, in particular since the beginning of the NHS, which celebrates its 70th birthday this July.

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